As we remember the life of Rev Canon Simon Peter Kigozi, we are mesmerised by a life that has touched so many. What a life!! "They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,.."Ps 92:14. This, for me, summarizes what nearly everyone thought of him.
This can be counted as my own small eulogy since I wasn't given the chance at the funeral service nor at the vigil!
My encounters with Rev Canon Kigozi were very brief. As you would expect, I was in awe of him all the times I interfaced with him. As such, he really didn't know me and hardly remembered me when I met him again. Being in his presence was quite intimidating for me.
Firstly, he was tall and elderly. In a country where the average height of men is around 5'7" and the average life expectancy is 47, seeing a 94 year old man who is 6'4" is quite a spectacle. And I, standing at a modest 5'6" with my shoes on, was bound to make me feel quite inadequate.
Secondly, He was a man of the light. Without him saying anything, you would automatically evaluate your walk with God. He had such an aura around him. When you google the word 'aura', the first hit is a paranormal Wikipedia page that defines aura as "a field of subtle, luminous radiation supposedly surrounding a person or object". He emitted Christ in his life. During the funeral service (held yesterday 10th March 2010) Jaja Erina said that he didn't have to tell you anything. He just lived it.
For one reason or the other, I am not quite sure why I remember scripture quotations yet I barely passed subjects that required 'cramming'. I seem to remember them word for word for a long time before I forget them if I don't read them again. Pride would have easily set in if it were not for the conviction that I often don't live to all these scriptures I quote at will.
Lately I have said to myself that it doesn't make sense to know what you will not obey. You know the word of God says that "Knowledge puffs up..."1 Cor 8:1 It continues to say in v2 "The man who thinks he knows somethings does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God"
Loving God is shown by obedience. No one can claim to love God and not evidence this claim by continual obedience.
It is at this point that I turn my eyes to gaze at Rev Canon Kigozi's life. He didn't have to quote it. He lived it. He didn't quote for me Jer 29:13 "You will seek me and find find me when you seek me with all your heart" He just lived it. Woke up every morning at 5:00am and led his family in worship and prayer. He didn't quote for me Deut 6:6-9 "Teach your children about my commandments. Talk about them when you are at home and when you walk. When you lie down and when you get up". He just lived it. Brought up his children in the fear of God and he talked about Christ all the time even to the time of his death. There are countless examples as I thought about his life as I drove home in the wee hours of the morning coming from the night vigil.
What a life of great consistency! As I observe him, the word of God that says "Imitate me as I imitate Christ"1Cor 11:1 makes sense.
The Lord help me live the gospel that the words I say would only serve to confirm what they observe in my life.
Now that's worship
